Useful Weakness

Thinking today about how God trains his servants, and about the fact that God is not in the slightest bit of a rush to get it done. He will not use an instrument that isn't ready. David was over 30 years old before he became King. Joshua was probably in his sixties before he was made the General of the Army of Israel. Moses was in his 80's. The training for each one is unique and distinctive. God does not have a formula or a stated curriculum. He is simply at work to make an instrument useful.

I think we get the false impression that God is always in a bind , and in some sort desperate need for somebody - anybody - who will be on his team. God does not fill positions the way churches often do. A warm body simply will not do. God will prepare his servant, and until the servant is prepared, she or he is worthless.

Cheesecake is the Birthday staple for my wife. I baked her one on Tuesday. Cheesecake must be baked for a long time at a low temperature. It will do absolutely no good to bake a cheesecake for a shorter time at a higher temperature. That will not work. It would end up like some sort gourmet beetle: Crunchy on the outside, nauseatingly soft in the center. It takes time to be prepared - and God has time and is not concerned about whether or not we are in a hurry. He will bring us each to a place of greater usefulness by bringing us to a place of utter weakness. Hudson Taylor says that "God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him."

Sometimes it takes time to figure out how weak we really are. He will use us when we're ready to be used: not before.

The Extreme Challenge of Christian Biography

Tonight I am putting the final, concluding touches on the final installment of a mini-series of sermons (read: two weeks) on the life of Hudson Taylor. I have to confess that as I sit here in the climate-controlled atmosphere of Starbucks, sipping dark coffee within site of 5 churches; I clearly see the gaunlet thrown which challenges southern church comfort and American evangelical songs. Hudson Taylor's life of abiding in Christ is incredibly significant for me, personally. I feel the intense weight of it in my heart.

I am blogging with coffee, while people in Pakistan walk about with open wounds at the onset of winter with no shelter, no medical care - and for most - no Gospel. How should I live my life in light of those kinds of realities? Does it make a difference? Should it? It did in Hudson Taylor's life. He couldn't just sit by while millions perished without the Gospel. Should it bother us? I fear that we have been so acclimated to a culture of comfort, anything making us uncomfortable is viewed as evil; something that couldn't possibly be from God. Hudson Taylor's biography (as do many good biographies of saints who have walked before us) forces my eyes to look at the world and it's need. It makes me actually look at the hungry and the homeless and the illiterate and the lost and the dead in sin - and pray, "Lord God of the Harvest, thrust out laborers - and let me weep with you over that which surely breaks your heart." Life is a vapor. It's easily wasted. Biography will help to see life lived well, that we might do the same.

Father - show me how I then should live. If indeed, Your name and renown is the desire of my soul - show me - show your people - how do we live it? How do we live it now?

Further Reading on the Life of J. Hudson Taylor

There have been a few contemporary biographies written on his life in the past 15 years or so. Most of them are simply rehashing the information in Mrs. Howard Taylor's more authoratative biography. I highly recommend ordering it from OMF books.

While you're there, you should also check out a newly republished version of Hudson Taylor's autobiography. The classic"Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret" is a more accessable version of Mrs. Howard Taylor's longer biography (which I still think is worth the work of reading!)

Read about the fruit of his life by checking out the OMF (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) web site. This is the organization that was formerly the China Inland Mission.

They are watching and praying ...

I referenced this article by James Draper in this past Sunday's sermon (10/9/2005) I would encourage you to read it and think about what he says. I think it's an important insight on the contemporary church.

Persepective. A great need of the hour.

They Are Praying, Watching And Waiting: What's Our Response?